General Assembly

UNSCEAR submits an annual report to the United Nations General Assembly. This is usually discussed in October by the Assembly's Fourth Committee, which subsequently recommends a resolution to the Assembly for its adoption - usually at the end of the year. Every few years UNSCEAR submits a more substantive report to the Assembly. This report and its scientific annexes are issued as a
United Nations sales publication to disseminate the findings for the benefit of the international scientific community.

Key resolutions of the Assembly

Among the resolutions the General Assembly has passed on UNSCEAR, some key ones are reproduced below:

Resolution 913 (X), adopted 3 December 1955, the founding resolution

The General Assembly,

Recognizing the importance of, and the widespread attention being given to, problems relating to the effects of ionizing radiation upon man and his environment,

Believing that the widest distribution should be given to all available scientific data on the short-term and long-term effects upon man and his environment of ionizing radiation, including radiation levels and radioactive "fall-out",

Noting that studies of this problem are being conducted in various countries,

Believing that the peoples of the world should be more fully informed on this subject,

1.
Establishes a scientific Committee consisting of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, France, India, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and requests the Governments of these countries each to designate one scientist, with alternates and consultants as appropriate, to be its representative on this Committee;

2.
Requests the Committee:

(a) To receive and assemble in an appropriate and useful form the following radiological information furnished by States Members of the United Nations or members of the specialized agencies:

(i) Reports on observed levels of ionizing radiation and radioactivity in the environment;

(ii) Reports on scientific observations and experiments relevant to the effects of ionizing radiation upon man and his environment already under way or later undertaken by national scientific bodies or by authorities of national Governments;

(b) To recommend uniform standards with respect to procedures for sample collection and instrumentation, and radiation counting procedures to be used in analyses of samples;

(c) To compile and assemble in an integrated manner the various reports, referred to in sub-paragraph (a) (i) above, on observed radiological levels;

(d) To review and collate national reports, referred to in sub-paragraph (a) (ii) above, evaluating each report to determine its usefulness for the purposes of the Committee;

(e) To make yearly progress reports and to develop by 1 July 1958, or earlier if the assembled facts warrant, a summary of the reports received on radiation levels and radiation effects on man and his environment together with the evaluations provided for in sub-paragraph (d) above and indications of research projects which might require further study;

(f) To transmit from time to time, as it deems appropriate, the documents and evaluations referred to above to the Secretary-General for publication and dissemination to States Members of the United Nations or members of the specialized agencies;

3.
Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Committee with appropriate assistance in organizing and carrying on its work, and to provide a secretary of the Committee;

4.
Calls upon all concerned to co-operate in making available reports and studies relating to the short-term and long-term effects of ionizing radiation upon man and his environment and radiological data collected by them;

5.
Requests the specialized agencies to concert with the Committee concerning any work they may be doing or contemplating within the sphere of the Committee's terms of reference to assure proper co-ordination;

6.
Requests the Secretary-General to invite the Government of Japan to nominate a scientist, with alternates and consultants as appropriate, to be its representative on the Committee;

7.
Decides to transmit to the Committee the records of the proceedings of the General Assembly on the present item.

Recalling its
resolution 3063 (XXVIII) of 9 November 1973, in which it requested a special report from the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, and in view of the anxieties expressed by the representatives of various Member States concerning pollution of the environment by ionizing radiation emanating from tests of nuclear weapons,

Noting with appreciation the special report submitted by the Scientific Committee,

Noting with concern that there has been additional radioactive fallout resulting in additions to the total doses of ionizing radiation since the Scientific Committee prepared its last report,

Reaffirming its deep apprehension concerning the harmful consequences of nuclear weapon tests for the acceleration of the arms race and for the health of present and future generations,

1.
Deplores environmental pollution by ionizing radiation from the testing of nuclear weapons;

2.
Requests the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation to continue its work, including its co-ordination activities, to increase knowledge of the levels and effects of atomic radiation from all sources;

Expressing regret that the Scientific Committee had very little time and information available to it in preparing for its special session,

1.
Notes with appreciation the special report submitted by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation;

2.
Commends the Scientific Committee for the valuable contributions it has made since its inception to wider knowledge and understanding of the levels and effects of atomic radiation;

3.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue its work, including its co-ordination activities, to increase knowledge of the levels and effects of atomic radiation from all sources;

4.
Requests the Scientific Committee in particular to continue at its twenty-third session, to be held in October 1974, to review and assess the levels, effects and risks of radiation from all sources and to report to the General Assembly at its twenty-ninth session;

5.
Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide the Scientific Committee with the assistance necessary for the conduct of its work and the dissemination of its findings to the public.

C

The General Assembly,

Recalling its
resolution 913 (X) of 3 December 1955, by which it established the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, and its subsequent resolutions on the subject,

Recognizing the valuable contribution made by the Scientific Committee to wider knowledge and understanding of the levels and effects of atomic radiation,

Concerned about the potentially harmful effects on present and future generations resulting from the atomic radiation to which man and natural resources are exposed,

Noting with concern that nuclear weapon tests are still being conducted in the atmosphere and other environments,

Conscious of the need for the Governments of Member States to commit themselves to giving the Scientific Committee the greatest possible co-operation in order that its work may be more effective,

1.
Decides to increase the membership of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation to a maximum of twenty, while reaffirming the need for the members of the Committee to be represented by scientists;

2.
Invites the Governments which desire to participate in the Scientific Committee and are able to contribute to its work to inform the President of the General Assembly, through the Secretary-General, before 15 February 1974; in the event that more than five Governments inform the President of the Assembly of their desire to become part of the Scientific Committee, the new members of the Committee will be selected by the President of the Assembly, in consultation with the chairmen of the regional groups, on the basis of an equitable geographical distribution;

3.
Urges the Scientific Committee to request from Member States, as frequently as may be necessary, the detailed information which it needs to assist it in its work;

4.
Authorizes the Scientific Committee, in response to a request by the Government of a country which is situated in an area of nuclear arms testing or which considers that it is exposed to atomic radiation by reason of such testing, to appoint a group of experts from among its members for the purpose of visiting that country, at the latter's expense, and of consulting with its scientific authorities and informing the Committee of the consultations;

5.
Urges the specialized agencies and other United Nations bodies and invites the non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council to assist the Scientific Committee in its work;

6.
Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Scientific Committee with the administrative assistance necessary for the efficient conduct of its work.

Resolution 41/62, adopted 3 December 1986, inviting China to become a member of UNSCEAR

Taking note with appreciation of the report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation,

Reaffirming the desirability of the Scientific Committee continuing its work,

Concerned about the potentially harmful effects on present and future generations, resulting from the levels of radiation to which man is exposed,

Conscious of the continued need to examine and compile information about atomic and ionizing radiation and to analyse its effects on man and his environment,

Taking note of the decision of the Scientific Committee to submit shorter reports with scientific supporting documents on the specialized topics mentioned in its report as soon as the relevant studies are completed,

1.
Commends the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation for the valuable contribution it has been making in the course of the past thirty-one years, since its inception, to wider knowledge and understanding of the levels, effects and risks of atomic radiation and for fulfilling its original mandate with scientific authority and independence of judgement;

2.
Notes with satisfaction the continued and growing scientific co-operation between the Scientific Committee and the United Nations Environment Programme;

3.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue its work, including its important co-ordinating activities, to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources;

4.
Endorses the Scientific Committee's intentions and plans for its future activities of scientific review and assessment on behalf of the General Assembly;

5.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue at its next session the review of the important problems in the field of radiation and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its forty-second session;

6.
Requests the United Nations Environment Programme to continue providing support for the effective conduct of the Scientific Committee's work and for the dissemination of its findings to the General Assembly, the scientific community and the public;

7.
Expresses its appreciation for the assistance rendered to the Scientific Committee by Member States, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and non-governmental organizations, and invites them to increase their co-operation in this field;

8.
Invites Member States, and the United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations concerned to provide further relevant data about doses, effects and risks from various sources of radiation, which would greatly help in the preparation of the Scientific Committee's future reports to the General Assembly.

Recognizing the valuable contribution made by the Scientific Committee to wider knowledge and understanding of the levels and effects of atomic radiation,

Conscious of the continued need for the Governments of Member States to commit themselves to giving to the Scientific Committee the greatest possible co-operation in order that its work may be more effective,

Emphasizing, in this connection, that the five permanent members of the Security Council are in a position to make particularly valuable contributions to the work of the Committee,

Noting with satisfaction that the People's Republic of China desires to become a member of the Scientific Committee,

Convinced that the participation of the People's Republic of China will enhance the effectiveness of the Scientific Committee,

1.
Decides to increase the membership of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation to a maximum of twenty-one;

2.
Invites the People's Republic of China to become a member of the Scientific Committee, requesting the Government of that country to designate one scientist, with alternates and consultants as appropriate, to be its representative on the Committee.

Taking note with appreciation of the work of the Scientific Committee and of the release of its extensive report, entitled Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation: United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation 2000 Report to the General Assembly, with Scientific Annexes,

Reaffirming the desirability of the Scientific Committee continuing its work,

Concerned about the potentially harmful effects on present and future generations resulting from the levels of radiation to which mankind and the environment are exposed,

Noting the views expressed by Member States at its fifty-fifth session with regard to the work of the Scientific Committee,

Conscious of the continuing need to examine and compile information about atomic and ionizing radiation and to analyse its effects on mankind and the environment,

1.
Commends the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation for the valuable contribution it has been making in the course of the past forty-five years, since its inception, to wider knowledge and understanding of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation, and for fulfilling its original mandate with scientific authority and independence of judgement;

2.
Takes note with appreciation of the work of the Scientific Committee and of the release of its extensive report, which provides the scientific and world community with the Committee's latest evaluations of the sources and effects of ionizing radiation on human beings and their environment;

3.
Reaffirms the decision to maintain the present functions and independent role of the Scientific Committee, including its present reporting arrangements;

4.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue its work, including its important activities to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources, and invites the Scientific Committee to submit its programme of work to the General Assembly;

5.
Endorses the intentions and plans of the Scientific Committee for its future activities of scientific review and assessment on behalf of the General Assembly;

6.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue at its next session the review of the important problems in the field of ionizing radiation and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session;

7.
Requests the United Nations Environment Programme to continue providing support for the effective conduct of the work of the Scientific Committee and for the dissemination of its findings to the General Assembly, the scientific community and the public;

8.
Expresses its appreciation for the assistance rendered to the Scientific Committee by Member States, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and non-governmental organizations, and invites them to increase their cooperation in this field;

9.
Invites the Scientific Committee to continue its consultations with scientists and experts from interested Member States in the process of preparing its future scientific reports;

10.
Welcomes, in this context, the readiness of Member States to provide the Scientific Committee with relevant information on the effects of ionizing radiation in affected areas, and invites the Scientific Committee to analyse and give due consideration to such information, particularly in the light of its own findings;

11.
Invites Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations concerned to provide further relevant data about doses, effects and risks from various sources of radiation, which would greatly help in the preparation of future reports of the Scientific Committee to the General Assembly.

Taking note with appreciation of the work of the Scientific Committee and of the release of its extensive report, entitled Hereditary Effects of Radiation: United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation 2001 Report to the General Assembly, with Scientific Annex,

Reaffirming the desirability of the Scientific Committee continuing its work,

Concerned about the potentially harmful effects on present and future generations resulting from the levels of radiation to which mankind and the environment are exposed,

Noting the views expressed by Member States at its fifty-sixth session with regard to the work of the Scientific Committee,

Conscious of the continuing need to examine and compile information about atomic and ionizing radiation and to analyse its effects on mankind and the environment,

1.
Commends the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation for the valuable contribution it has been making in the course of the past forty-six years, since its inception, to wider knowledge and understanding of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation, and for fulfilling its original mandate with scientific authority and independence of judgement;

2.
Takes note with appreciation of the work of the Scientific Committee and of the release of its extensive report, which provides the scientific and world community with the Committee's latest evaluations of the hereditary effects of radiation;

3.
Reaffirms the decision to maintain the present functions and independent role of the Scientific Committee, including its present reporting arrangements;

4.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue its work, including its important activities to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources, and invites the Scientific Committee to submit its programme of work to the General Assembly;

5.
Endorses the intentions and plans of the Scientific Committee for its future activities of scientific review and assessment on behalf of the General Assembly;

6.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue at its next session the review of the important problems in the field of ionizing radiation and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its fifty-seventh session;

7.
Requests the United Nations Environment Programme to continue providing support for the effective conduct of the work of the Scientific Committee and for the dissemination of its findings to the General Assembly, the scientific community and the public;

8.
Expresses its appreciation for the assistance rendered to the Scientific Committee by Member States, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and non-governmental organizations, and invites them to increase their cooperation in this field;

9.
Invites the Scientific Committee to continue its consultations with scientists and experts from interested Member States in the process of preparing its future scientific reports;

10.
Welcomes, in this context, the readiness of Member States to provide the Scientific Committee with relevant information on the effects of ionizing radiation in affected areas, and invites the Scientific Committee to analyse and give due consideration to such information, particularly in the light of its own findings;

11.
Invites Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations concerned to provide further relevant data about doses, effects and risks from various sources of radiation, which would greatly help in the preparation of future reports of the Scientific Committee to the General Assembly.

Resolution 61/109, adopted 14 December 2006, regarding the UNSCEAR 2006 Report and inviting States to express interest in membership

Taking note with appreciation of the work of the Scientific Committee, and of the release of its report on its fifty-fourth session
1 ,

Reaffirming the desirability of the Scientific Committee continuing its work,

Concerned about the potentially harmful effects on present and future generations resulting from the levels of radiation to which mankind and the environment are exposed,

Noting the views expressed by Member States at its sixty-first session with regard to the work of the Scientific Committee,

Noting that some Member States have expressed particular interest in becoming members of the Scientific Committee, and expressing its intention to consider the issue further at its next session,

Conscious of the continuing need to examine and compile information about atomic and ionizing radiation and to analyse its effects on mankind and the environment,

1.
Commends the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation for the valuable contribution it has been making in the course of the past fifty-one years, since its inception, to wider knowledge and understanding of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation, and for fulfilling its original mandate with scientific authority and independence of judgement;

2.
Reaffirms the decision to maintain the present functions and independent role of the Scientific Committee;

3.
Takes note with appreciation of the work of the Scientific Committee and of the release of its extensive report to the General Assembly, with scientific annexes, which provide the scientific and world community with the Committee's latest evaluations of the effects of ionizing radiation on human beings;

4.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue its work, including its important activities to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources;

5.
Endorses the intentions and plans of the Scientific Committee for completing its present programme of work of scientific review and assessment on behalf of the General Assembly, and requests the Scientific Committee to submit plans for its future programme of work to the General Assembly at its sixty-second session;

6.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue at its next session the review of the important problems in the field of ionizing radiation and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its sixty-second session;

7.
Emphasizes the need for the Scientific Committee to hold regular sessions on an annual basis so that its report can reflect the latest developments and findings in the field of ionizing radiation and thereby provide updated information for dissemination among all States;

8.
Expresses its appreciation for the assistance rendered to the Scientific Committee by Member States, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and non-governmental organizations, and invites them to increase their cooperation in this field;

9.
Invites the Scientific Committee to continue its consultations with scientists and experts from interested Member States in the process of preparing its future scientific reports, and requests the Secretariat to facilitate such consultations;

10.
Welcomes, in this context, the readiness of Member States to provide the Scientific Committee with relevant information on the effects of ionizing radiation in affected areas, and invites the Scientific Committee to analyse and give due consideration to such information, particularly in the light of its own findings;

11.
Invites Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations concerned to provide further relevant data about doses, effects and risks from various sources of radiation, which would greatly help in the preparation of future reports of the Scientific Committee to the General Assembly;

12.
Requests the United Nations Environment Programme to continue providing support for the effective conduct of the work of the Scientific Committee and for the dissemination of its findings to the General Assembly, the scientific community and the public;

13.
Urges the United Nations Environment Programme to review and strengthen the present funding of the Scientific Committee, pursuant to paragraph 11 of resolution 60/98, and to continue to seek out and consider alternative funding mechanisms to complement existing ones, so that the Committee can discharge the responsibilities and mandate entrusted to it by the General Assembly.

14.
Invites those Member States that desire to join the Scientific Committee to inform the President of the General Assembly, before 28 February 2007, of their interest, and decides to further consider the question of membership of the Scientific Committee in all its aspects, including financial implications, at the next session.

Taking note with appreciation of the work of the Scientific Committee, and of the release of its report on its fifty-fifth session
1 ,

Reaffirming the desirability of the Scientific Committee continuing its work,

Concerned about the potentially harmful effects on present and future generations resulting from the levels of radiation to which mankind and the environment are exposed,

Noting the views expressed by Member States at its sixty-second session with regard to the work of the Scientific Committee,

Noting also the deep concern of the Scientific Committee that reliance on a single post at the Professional level in its secretariat has left the Committee seriously vulnerable and has hampered the efficient implementation of its approved programme of work,

Conscious of the continuing need to examine and compile information about atomic and ionizing radiation and to analyse its effects on mankind and the environment,

1.
Commends the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation for the valuable contribution it has been making in the course of the past fifty-two years, since its inception, to wider knowledge and understanding of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation, and for fulfilling its original mandate with scientific authority and independence of judgement;

2.
Reaffirms the decision to maintain the present functions and independent role of the Scientific Committee;

3.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue its work, including its important activities to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources;

4.
Endorses the intentions and plans of the Scientific Committee for completing its present programme of work of scientific review and assessment on behalf of the General Assembly and for developing a longer-term strategic plan for its work, and requests the Committee to submit plans for its future programme of work to the General Assembly at its sixty-third session;

5.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue at its next session the review of the important problems in the field of ionizing radiation and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its sixty-third session;

6.
Recalls the intention of the Scientific Committee, expressed in paragraph 5 of its report to the General Assembly at its sixty-first session,
2 to clarify further the assessment of potential harm owing to chronic low-level exposures among large populations and also the attributability of health effects, and encourages the Committee to submit a report on that issue at its earliest convenience;

7.
Emphasizes the need for the Scientific Committee to hold regular sessions on an annual basis so that its report can reflect the latest developments and findings in the field of ionizing radiation and thereby provide updated information for dissemination among all States, and endorses, on an exceptional basis, the intention of the Committee to convene its fifty-sixth session for seven days in order to finalize its next substantive report;

8.
Expresses its appreciation for the assistance rendered to the Scientific Committee by Member States, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and non-governmental organizations, and invites them to increase their cooperation in this field;

9.
Invites the Scientific Committee to continue its consultations with scientists and experts from interested Member States in the process of preparing its future scientific reports, and requests the Secretariat to facilitate such consultations;

10.
Welcomes, in this context, the readiness of Member States to provide the Scientific Committee with relevant information on the effects of ionizing radiation in affected areas, and invites the Committee to analyse and give due consideration to such information, particularly in the light of its own findings;

11.
Invites Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations concerned to provide further relevant data about doses, effects and risks from various sources of radiation, which would greatly help in the preparation of future reports of the Scientific Committee to the General Assembly;

12.
Requests the United Nations Environment Programme to continue providing support for the effective conduct of the work of the Scientific Committee and for the dissemination of its findings to the General Assembly, the scientific community and the public;

13.
Appeals to the Secretary-General to take appropriate administrative measures so that the secretariat can adequately service the Scientific Committee in a predictable and sustainable manner and effectively facilitate the use of the invaluable expertise offered to the Committee by its members in order that the Committee may discharge the responsibilities and mandate entrusted to it by the General Assembly;

14.
Urges the United Nations Environment Programme to review and strengthen the present funding of the Scientific Committee, pursuant to
paragraph 13 of resolution 61/109, and to continue to seek out and consider temporary funding mechanisms to complement existing ones, and, in that context, takes note of the establishment by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme of a general trust fund to receive and manage voluntary contributions to support the work of the Scientific Committee, and encourages Member States to consider making voluntary contributions to the trust fund;

15.
Welcomes that Belarus, Finland, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Spain and Ukraine have informed the President of the General Assembly before 28 February 2007, in accordance with
paragraph 14 of resolution 61/109, of their desire to become members of the Scientific Committee, and invites each of those six Member States to designate one scientist to attend, as observers, the fifty-sixth session of the Committee;

16.
Requests the Secretary-General to provide a comprehensive and consolidated report to the General Assembly at its sixty-third session, to be prepared in consultation with the Scientific Committee as appropriate, addressing the financial and administrative implications of increased Committee membership, staffing of the professional secretariat and methods to ensure sufficient, assured and predictable funding.

Recalling its
resolution 913 (X) of 3 December 1955 of , by which it established the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, and its subsequent resolutions on the subject, including resolution
62/100 of 17 December 2007, in which, inter alia, it requested the Scientific Committee to continue its work,

Taking note with appreciation of the work of the Scientific Committee, and of the release of its report on its fifty-sixth session,
1

Reaffirming the desirability of the Scientific Committee continuing its work,

Concerned about the potentially harmful effects on present and future generations resulting from the levels of radiation to which mankind and the environment are exposed,

Conscious of the continuing need to examine and compile information about atomic and ionizing radiation and to analyse its effects on mankind and the environment, and conscious also of the increased volume, complexity and diversity of that information,

Noting the views expressed by Member States at its sixty-third session with regard to the work of the Scientific Committee,

Recalling the deep concern of the Scientific Committee expressed in the report on its fifty-sixth session that reliance on a single post at the Professional level in its secretariat had left the Committee seriously vulnerable and had hampered the efficient implementation of its approved programme of work,
2 and noting that a solution to this concern has not yet been achieved,

Recalling also its request at its sixty-second session that the Secretary-General provide a comprehensive and consolidated report, to be prepared in consultation with the Scientific Committee as appropriate, addressing the financial and administrative implications of increased Committee membership, staffing of the professional secretariat and methods to ensure sufficient, assured and predictable funding,

1.
Commends the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation for the valuable contribution it has been making in the course of the past fifty-three years, since its inception, to wider knowledge and understanding of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation, and for fulfilling its original mandate with scientific authority and independence of judgement;

2.
Reaffirms the decision to maintain the present functions and independent role of the Scientific Committee;

3.
Takes note with appreciation of the work of the Scientific Committee and of the release of its extensive report to the General Assembly,
1 with scientific annexes, which provide the scientific and world community with the Committee's latest evaluations;

4.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue its work, including its important activities to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources;

5.
Endorses the future programme of work of scientific review and assessment of the Scientific Committee on behalf of the General Assembly on assessments of levels of radiation from energy production and the effects on human health and the environment, uncertainty in radiation risk estimation, attributability of health effects due to radiation exposure, updating its methodology for estimating exposures due to discharges from nuclear installations, a summary of radiation effects and improving data collection, analysis and dissemination, notes with concern that the Committee cannot initiate work immediately on topics which make up half of the entire programme due to the lack of resources within the professional secretariat, and endorses the longer-term strategic plan of the Committee for its work, as reported to the Assembly at its sixty-third session;

6.
Requests the Scientific Committee to continue at its next session the review of the important questions in the field of ionizing radiation and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session;

7.
Emphasizes the need for the Scientific Committee to hold regular sessions on an annual basis so that its report can reflect the latest developments and findings in the field of ionizing radiation and thereby provide updated information for dissemination among all States;

8.
Expresses its appreciation for the assistance rendered to the Scientific Committee by Member States, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and non-governmental organizations, and invites them to increase their cooperation in this field;

9.
Invites the Scientific Committee to continue its consultations with scientists and experts from interested Member States in the process of preparing its future scientific reports, and requests the Secretariat to facilitate such consultations;

10.
Welcomes, in this context, the readiness of Member States to provide the Scientific Committee with relevant information on the effects of ionizing radiation in affected areas, and invites the Committee to analyse and give due consideration to such information, particularly in the light of its own findings;

11.
Invites Member States, the organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations concerned to provide further relevant data about doses, effects and risks from various sources of radiation, which would greatly help in the preparation of future reports of the Scientific Committee to the General Assembly;

12.
Requests the United Nations Environment Programme to continue providing support for the effective conduct of the work of the Scientific Committee and for the dissemination of its findings to the General Assembly, the scientific community and the public;

13.
Urges the United Nations Environment Programme to review and strengthen the present funding of the Scientific Committee, pursuant to paragraph 14 of resolution 62/100, and to continue to seek out and consider temporary funding mechanisms to complement existing ones, and, in that context, takes note of the establishment by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme of a general trust fund to receive and manage voluntary contributions to support the work of the Committee, and encourages Member States to consider making voluntary contributions to the trust fund;

14.
Takes note of the comprehensive report of the Secretary-General,
3 prepared in consultation with the Scientific Committee as appropriate, on the financial and administrative implications of increased membership of the Committee, staffing of its professional secretariat and methods to ensure sufficient, assured and predictable funding;

15.
Recognizes the conclusion, outlined in paragraph 48 of the
report of the Secretary-General, on the need for strengthened human resources for the professional, scientific secretariat in order to support the Scientific Committee in a more predictable and sustainable manner with a longer-term perspective, to effectively facilitate the use of the invaluable expertise offered to the Committee by its members, and to enable the Committee to discharge the responsibilities and mandate entrusted to it by the General Assembly, and emphasizes in this context that these resources are needed in any case and before Member States can agree to a change in Committee membership;

16.
Requests the Secretary-General, in formulating his proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011, to consider all options, including the possibility of internal reallocation, to provide the Scientific Committee with the resources outlined in paragraphs 48 and 50 of the
report of the Secretary-General;

17.
Directs the Scientific Committee to continue its reflection on how the current, as well as a potentially revised, membership for the Scientific Committee could best support the essential work of the Committee, including by developing detailed, objective and transparent criteria to be applied equitably to present and future members alike, and to report on these efforts before the end of the sixty-third session of the General Assembly;

18.
Welcomes the attendance of Belarus, Finland, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Spain and Ukraine as observers at the fifty-sixth session of the Scientific Committee, invites each of those States to designate one scientist to attend, as observers, the fifty-seventh session of the Committee, and resolves to take a decision on full membership for these countries once a decision on resource allocation has been made, pursuant to paragraph 16 above, but no later than the end of the sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly.